Kenya's 'political gangs' fuel election fears

Kenya’s upcoming presidential elections, set for August 10, 2027, have sparked widespread alarm over the rise of politically motivated violence. Residents of Nairobi, the country’s capital, describe an unsettling atmosphere as groups of young men increasingly appear in public spaces, raising fears of intimidation and unrest. Brian Ongore, a local resident, expressed his concern to Deutsche Welle, stating that encountering such groups has turned into a source of constant anxiety. “Whenever you see a group of youths, you’re just in panic because you never know what will happen to you next,” he said. This sentiment reflects a broader sense of unease among citizens, especially following recent incidents of violence linked to opposition gatherings in Kisumu and Nyahururu. The situation has escalated with reports of so-called “goons”, armed individuals hired by political figures to intimidate opponents or disrupt public events, becoming a common feature of pre-election politics. According to a recent report by Agence France-Presse, these goons are sometimes deployed in large numbers, with some accounts suggesting they are paid as little as four dollars per day. The involvement of such groups has raised serious concerns about the integrity of the electoral process, with critics arguing that the practice is deeply rooted in the political landscape and difficult to eradicate. In June, tensions flared when a civil society and church forum held at Nairobi’s All Saints Cathedral was interrupted during discussions on public finance management. The incident drew attention from human rights organizations, including Amnesty International Kenya, which released a statement indicating that some of the attackers publicly admitted they had been sent by influential government officials. This admission underscores the alarming level of coordination and support behind these violent acts. Local businesswoman Priscilla Njoroge has called on young Kenyans to resist being manipulated into participating in political violence. “I would like to tell the goons who are being misused not to play with the peace we have because violence destroys everything. The losses are much greater,” she told Deutsche Welle. Her comments reflect a growing awareness among community leaders about the long-term consequences of political violence. University student Paul Mwai voiced similar frustrations regarding the response of security agencies. “Yesterday police were seen protecting the goons. I have not seen even a single goon being dealt with decisively by the same government that keeps issuing threats,” he said. His remarks highlight a perceived lack of accountability and a possible complicity of law enforcement in enabling the activities of political gangs. President William Ruto addressed the issue at the funeral of Zipporah Kosgey, wife of veteran politician Henry Kosgey. He acknowledged the growing influence of political gangs and warned that their actions could jeopardize the democratic process. “These goons are innocent children who are being used by bankrupt politicians. They go around causing chaos, assaulting people and causing destruction,” Ruto stated. He called for firm action against both the goons and their alleged financiers. Security analyst Byron Adera described the use of political gangs as not entirely new but increasingly organized. “Political enterprise is propped up by goonism, which is really paid thugs being used for political power,” he explained. Adera emphasized that unemployed youth are particularly susceptible to recruitment, making them a key target for political actors looking to exploit social instability. Political economist Sheila Owigo Olang echoed these concerns, noting that recent attacks seem more coordinated than in past election cycles. “There seems to be impunity,” she said, pointing out that the goons often appear to have strong backing without facing repercussions. Olang also highlighted that the threat extends beyond campaign events, affecting religious institutions and creating particular fear among women entering politics. “Women are the biggest voting demographic,” she observed, underscoring the gendered impact of political violence.